Up2Us Sports Research, Monitoring & Evaluation

ABOUT OUR RESEARCH

Up2Us Sports aims to engage current and relevant research to drive innovation and application in its work within the sports-based youth development space. Research plays a key role in our organization to shape our program content and delivery to ensure theory-driven and evidence-based practices toward the ultimate goal of achieving the Up2Us Sports mission and vision.

LUNCH & LEARN SERIES

This series provides coaches, staff, and host site partners with an educational and interactive environment for knowledge sharing and discussion of research and unique and innovative programming. Through this series, Up2Us Sports has partnered with speakers ranging from academic researchers to grassroots organizers to local sports organizations, who discuss a variety of topics related to sports, nutrition, physical activity, inclusion, social justice, and more.

View all recorded episodes below on our our Lunch & Learn Series YouTube Playlist.

"The Fuel and the Fire: Nutrition and Physical Activity in the COACHES Project"

On June 23, Up2Us Sports partnered with Christine St. Pierre and Natasha Cruz to present on the development of an SBYD Training Session aimed at increasing physical activity and healthy eating. The goal of the session is to share creative ways for how sports coaches and youth programs can encourage healthy lifestyles! This session will also provide insight and lessons learned from the COACHES Project, a collaborative research study between Up2Us Sports and George Washington University.

Christie St. Pierre is a PhD candidate in the Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition doctoral program at George Washington University, where her research will unite her agricultural policy experience and practice as a registered dietitian as she investigates policy and program approaches to building and sustaining food systems that allow all communities to establish food sovereignty. As a registered dietitian, Christie worked for a large public school system in the Washington, DC area, where she led the development of the district’s Farm to School program and provided training for teachers and parents in the early childhood program on feeding best practices for children age 0-5.

Natasha Cruz attained her B.S. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Miami and an MPH in Physical Activity in Public Health from the George Washington University in May of 2021. Natasha is a former Graduate Assistant with the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, where she uses her passion for exercise science and physical activity promotion to train and inspire future generations. Her desire to promote health and wellness stemmed from community projects, such as the Translational Health in Nutrition and Kinesiology, or THINK program, where Natasha helped to promote physical activity among underserved youth in Miami, FL.

"Achieving and Maintaining Emotional Wellness for People Who Serve"

Dr. Dawn Brown shares with everyone ways to prioritize emotional wellness and reconnect with our why.

Dr. Dawn Brown is a nationally acclaimed Child, Adolescent, Adult, and Sports Psychiatrist. Dr. Brown is a two-time best-selling author, Forbes writer, blogger, podcaster, producer, keynote speaker, and media influencer. Much of her work has focused on the intersection of sports and mental health, particularly related to elite athletes. Dr. Brown completed a Doctorate of Medicine and an Adult Psychiatry Residency at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

"Peak Health and Performance: A Nutrition Program for the Adolescent Athlete” with Dr. RJ Gibbs

Dr. RJ Gibbs joins us from the Michigan State University Extension in the Health and Nutrition Institute to share his work on nutrition interventions to improve the health and wellness of young athletes.

"The YD of SBYD: Importance of Social and Emotional Learning." with Dr. Kim Flores

Dr. Kim Flores of Hello Insight explores the importance of developing social and emotional learning skills in youth, as well as the history and research on the topic and the nuances of measuring social and emotional learning for youth.

"Engaging in Creativity for Coaches and Youth Sports" with Dr. Natalie L. Smith

Dr. Natalie Smith joins us from East Tennessee State University to discuss the topic of creativity and innovation in coaching, including how to engage in creativity, create an innovative work environment, and generate ideas for your specific context.

“Youth Sports and Sports Related Concussions” with Dr. Talin Babikian

Dr. Talin Babikian and the UCLA BrainSPORT team joins us to share their research and experience on sports-related concussions and brain health as it relates to the youth sports community.

"Retention, Then Recruitment: A New Take on Volunteer Management During and After COVID-19" with Students Run Philly Style

Student’s Run Philly Style share’s their experience navigating COVID-19 as a SBYD organization. The discussion focuses on how to develop volunteer management practices and messaging to reflect and reinforce your organizations standards to recruit and retain volunteers for long term impact.

"Disability in Youth Sports: Pick a Disability" with Milt Wright

Milt Wright from Milt Wright & Associates joins us to facilitate a training on disability inclusion as it relates to youth sports.

“When Theory Meets Planning and Practice: The Development of an Intervention for Youth affected by Parental Drug Use” with Dr. Terrinieka W. Powell

Dr. Terrinieka Powell joins the Lunch and Learn series to share her knowledge and experience on using community-engaged approaches in program development and implementation.

“How to Create a More Inclusive Locker Room” with Jonas Worth

Jonas Worth from the You Can Play Project joins the Lunch and Learn series to facilitate a session on the importance of centering LGBTQ+ inclusivity in youth sports teams and organizations.

"Creating Trans and Non-binary Inclusive Spaces in Youth Sports" with Jenna Weiner and Jen Pashley

Jenna Weiner and Jen Pashley from the Bay Area Disc Association discuss the importance of transgender and non-binary inclusion in sports. The conversation focuses on how to be a better ally in the realm of sports policy and implementation as it relates to trans and non-binary youth.

“Is Sports Always "Good?" Sports, Development, and Racism in Louisiana” with Dr. Danielle Thomas

Dr. Danielle Thomas shares her knowledge on how to build bridges our communities using the power of sports. In this Lunch and Learn, Dr. Thomas shares her experience using concepts of assets-based learning and healing centered engagement in sports.

"Exploring What 'Fun' Really Means: From Science to Evidence-Informed Action" with Dr. Amanda Visek

Dr. Amanda Visek from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University explores the importance of having fun in youth sports and how children and adolescents define “fun.” In this Lunch and Learn, Dr. Visek shares her work on an evidence-based framework, FUN MAPS, to promote and maximize having fun in youth sports to promote active and healthy lifestyles.

"Moving the Needle on School Physical Activity: Targets for Interventions and Worthwhile Outcomes" with Dr. Jennifer Sacheck

Dr. Jennifer Sacheck from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University joins the Lunch and Learn series on the current methods and results of increasing physical activity among youth in schools.

"Seven Days a Week: Lessons Learned from Steady Buckets" with Coach Macky Bergman

Coach Macky Bergman, founder of Steady Buckets, an inclusive, high-quality basketball program that is free for boys and girls aged 4-18, facilitates a Lunch and Learn session on virtual coaching.

"The Impact of ACEs" with Dr. Sheila Walker

Dr. Sheila Walker joins us from the John Hopkins School of Education to foster a discussion on the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the long-term effects of trauma on the brain.

"The Fuel and the Fire: Nutrition and Physical Activity in the COACHES Project"

"Achieving and Maintaining Emotional Wellness for People Who Serve"

"Peak Health and Performance: A Nutrition Program for the Adolescent Athlete” with Dr. RJ Gibbs

"The YD of SBYD: Importance of Social and Emotional Learning." with Dr. Kim Flores

"Engaging in Creativity for Coaches and Youth Sports" with Dr. Natalie L. Smith

“Youth Sports and Sports Related Concussions” with Dr. Talin Babikian

"Retention, Then Recruitment: A New Take on Volunteer Management During and After COVID-19" with Students Run Philly Style

"Disability in Youth Sports: Pick a Disability" with Milt Wright

“When Theory Meets Planning and Practice: The Development of an Intervention for Youth affected by Parental Drug Use” with Dr. Terrinieka W. Powell

“How to Create a More Inclusive Locker Room” with Jonas Worth

"Creating Trans and Non-binary Inclusive Spaces in Youth Sports" with Jenna Weiner and Jen Pashley

“Is Sports Always "Good?" Sports, Development, and Racism in Louisiana” with Dr. Danielle Thomas

"Exploring What 'Fun' Really Means: From Science to Evidence-Informed Action" with Dr. Amanda Visek

"Moving the Needle on School Physical Activity: Targets for Interventions and Worthwhile Outcomes" with Dr. Jennifer Sacheck

"Seven Days a Week: Lessons Learned from Steady Buckets" with Coach Macky Bergman

"The Impact of ACEs" with Dr. Sheila Walker

reports & evaluations

Our reports and evaluations provide insights into the impact our programs have on positive youth development within the communities we serve. Click on the covers below to view the PDF.

Up2Us Sports Research, Monitoring & Evaluation

ABOUT OUR RESEARCH

LUNCH & LEARN SERIES

reports & evaluations

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